Iran has rejected suggestions that it was involved in the arrest of five suspects near the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase, calling the allegations unfounded and malicious.

In a statement, the Iranian Embassy in London said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” speculation by British individuals and media outlets seeking to link Iran to the arrests, The Caspian Post reports, citing the Guardian.

“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base,” the statement said.

The embassy said the circulation of such claims, particularly following what Tehran described as “criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people,” would only contribute to what it called “Iranophobia propaganda” in the UK.

“The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK,” it added.

The embassy also said the Islamic Republic reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, if necessary, to protect the rights and interests of Iran and its people in response to what it described as misleading and damaging media narratives.